Ribadu: We’re Ready for Those Desperate for Power; US Pledges to Secure Cyberspace

Oghenevwede Ohwovoriole in Abuja

The National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, has declared that the government was fully ready for those desperate to cling onto power.

The NSA made the declaration at the opening ceremony of the maiden edition of a two-day National Cyber Security Conference (NCSC) 2005 in Abuja, yesterday.

Ribadu’s statement came as the United States of America expressed its  commitment to work with Nigeria to secure the cyber space and ensure a safe digital future for the country.

The conference was organised by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and supported by Galaxy Backbone (GBB), Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS), National Data Protection Commission (NDPC),  Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Cisco

According to Ribadu, those who were desperate for power would lie in order to hang on to power.

“It’s only those who want your money, who want your power, who desperately think that they must continue to come back to office and come back to power and continue to be the bad guys who created problems… We are trying to address them, they should give us a chance, please,” he said.

He also noted that both the public and private sector should work together to build a safe digital futur

“Together we are building a safer, more resilient digital Nigeria. One that can inspire confidence, drive innovation, and secure our future,” he said.

America’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, stated that the US was committed to working with Nigeria to secure the cyber space and ensure a safe digital future for Nigeria.

“The United States is committed to working with Nigeria to fight cyber security and ensure a safe digital future,” he said.

On his part, the Chairman of EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, noted that the commission was building a 500- capacity facility where it would harness the talents of young Nigerian involved in cyber fraud for the nation’s good.

The Director General of NITDA, Kachifu Abdullahi, in his speech, noted that the major aim of the  NCSC 2025: was to strengthen national cybersecurity resilience by fostering collaboration between government, industry, and international partners.

Chairman, Senate Committee on ICT, Shuaibu Salisu, in his goodwill message, advised NITDA to give digital orientation to newly elected legislators for ease of legislative business.